Opera Mundi, who missed out on a good opportunity to land a big prize when last Saturday’s Peter Marsh Chase was lost to the weather, will be fancied by many to pick up a valuable consolation by winning Saturday’s Skybet Chase at Doncaster over three miles. The sponsors have installed him as 5/1 favourite for this historic race, although punters should be aware that he’s also entered at Cheltenham on the same day.

Paul Nicholls’ six-year-old was quite impressive on his reappearance when winning a chase over this trip in November, the form of which has worked out well, so an 8lb rise in the weights doesn’t look too harsh. However, carrying top weight of 11st 12lb in what could be quite tacky ground (if the forecast is correct) might just find him out and he’s passed over in favour of An Accordion, a 12/1 shot with bet365.

David Pipe’s seven-year-old looks well-handicapped (set to carry 10st 8lb) after being dropped 3lb since his last effort at Cheltenham, when he finished a 17-length sixth behind Irish Raptor. However, the end result doesn’t tell the whole story of the race as nothing was going better than An Accordion when he made a race-ending mistake at the fourth last. In the end, he did well to finish where he did, and as that was only his sixth run under National Hunt rules, he has the potential to do a good deal better. Providing he puts in a clear round, he must take all the beating.

The race always attracts a big field and there are plenty of others who deserve a mention. Charlie Mann’s Bagan (10/1 Totesport) commands respect, but it was a weak race that he won on his first try over 3m at Newbury last time, and I’m not sure he’s a genuine three-miler. Alderburn (14/1 Ladbrokes) wouldn’t be far away if the ground were to dry out, while Yardbird (12/1 BetDirect) has looked a better horse this season after being fitted with blinkers. However, I won’t bang on about their chances too much as I’m sweet on the chances of An Accordion.

Recommended Bet:

An Accordion 2pt each way @ 12/1 bet365